No milk?

Cate: Where is the nipple on this thing?
Miranda: Hmm, something feels ...weird.

More babe action

Well, it's been a few weeks since we have posted. As I (Jackie) was the lucky one with the twin that went to sleep first for her nap, I get to update the blog!

The twins are growing and beginning to be more interactive. They now have one awake time in the morning and one awake time in the afternoon. Favorite activities are watching big sister Erika zoom about the room, grunting, and relaxing on the playmat. (in addition to eating, sleeping, crying and pooping :-) Here Miranda looks at herself in the plastic mirror off to the side of the playmat.

Over the past few weeks, the twins have made progress in various physical movements. They can track things with their eyes, and try to control their arms. Best of all, they can smile now. Below, Cate seems to practice arm moving as she reaches for the dangling toy.

Erika is doing well too. She was the one whom Miranda smiled at first. A week ago Wednesday all four of us were at the YMCA. As we were leaving, I had to stop at the front desk. All three kids were gathered around and Erika leaned over Miranda in her car seat to talk to her. Miranda gave Erika the biggest smile. She looked so happy that her big sister was coming over to talk to her. That made Erika's day. (and gave my heart a big tug :-)

Here Erika demonstrates the zooming that the twins find fascinating. She is racing up and down the little hill in our backyard. Lately, she loves running. The two of us will race up and down the backyard. Of course, Erika wins about 75% of the time!

Finally, here I am demonstrating the dual bottle feeding technique. The twins get hungry at the same time several times a day now. Yikes!

Stevie's 4th

This past weekend we attended Stevie Hanley's 4th birthday party. Erika and Stevie have a strange relationship in that Stevie and Erika have been mingling for years now, yet they seem to only loosely interact. Perhaps they are just into different things. For example, he likes to throw, fling, shoot, or do whatever might have the scent of fun. Well, the scent of fun with a low-note of potential bodily harm. Word on the street is that he may take a break to occasionally shout "testicles!" just to mix things up. Erika, on the other hand, is not so hip to that whole projectile scene as she is rather cautious and more interested in observing others while commenting on their clothing. "Nice pants!" or "I like your shirt!" Furthermore, she is more focused on the buttocks region in her random embarrassing statements to family and strangers alike.

You'd think that the toddler world of stinky butt and testicles commentary would leave little room for romance, but it is a matter of record that Stevie has decreed that he plans to marry Erika and have twins. Erika heard rumors of this plan and already said no without hearing any deatils. Below we see Erika and Stevie's grandmother having a delightful time together at the party.

As a side conversation, Stevie's grandma asked Erika what the twins were named. Erika answered right away- "Twin A and Twin B."

Before the party, everyone (except us) attended the movie Wall-e which is about a lovable robot or whatever. We did not attend the movie since we traveled as a pack of five that day and couldn't quite figure out how to do it logistically. So, today, I thought I would take Erika to see Wall-e myself. She has never been to a movie before; just the two of us as Jackie volunteered to stay home with the twins.

We made it through the movie previews, but only got into about 5 minutes before we needed to leave. Why kids' movies have to start with protracted dystopian scenes full of startling sound effects and ominous music is a mystery to me. It was way too much for a dainty cupcake such as herself.

Remember Finding Nemo? We have that on DVD. What the heck is with that? It's all stress, conflict, and neurotic parents in the beginning and then Nemo's mom dies? Who thinks of this stuff?! That one will go in the bin for a few more years I guess.

And as much as I also want to complain about two matinee tickets plus one drink and one bag of popcorn coming to TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS, I will endeavor to let it go. At least we won't be going back until Erika can make it though opening credits without being traumatized.

Below, Jackie being slept on by the twins. They have colds right now, so sleep is a good thing.
And you can't buy antihistamines for infants anymore? I want to know whose lawsuit caused that. ...actually maybe it's best I don't know.